UNESCO HIV and Health Education Clearinghouse

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Overlooked and Uninformed: Young Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is a short informational brief focusing on young adolescents across the world and their needs to know about their bodies and their sexual rights and responsibilities. It aims to inform policymaking on the importance to include 10-14 years old adolescents in programs and policy regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights. The document states that all young people need information and skills to protect themselves from harm and to make free, informed, and responsible sexual and reproductive decisions. …

The fact sheet first explains why good reproductive health for young people is important and then presents a situation of the reproductive lives of young people today. Lastly, the paper recounts what the international community has agreed to do to support the reproductive health of young people.

This paper reports on programs that have helped young people in developing countries practise healthier behaviours, including delaying sexual debut, reducing the number of sexual partners, and increasing the use of methods of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. It is addressed to program planners, administrators, policymakers, and donors interested in developing evidence-based strategies and programs to promote better health for youth.